Janice Ortbring

Four organizations looking for web design partners right now: → Detroit Community Org - $100K - full rebrand + website with 9 neighborhood sub-brands → Calgary Neighborhood Site - $70K USD - website redesign migrating off legacy Squarespace → LA Community Marketplace - $30K-$80K - Squarespace 7.1 redesign with donation store → Michigan Workforce Agency - $60K - website with AI chatbot, job board, and document portal Link in comments 👇

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We have always been a “creative first” agency. Technology & data are important, but the thing that technology can’t do is invoke feelings. Data doesn’t produce emotions. We believe above all else that great creative is the missing piece for most dealers. I’ve seen some of the largest companies in our industry fail to produce results for dealers because they lean so heavily on the data. Right time right place. Hyper-targeted segmentation etc etc… What they fail to realize is that whatever data is being leveraged fell short because the data didn’t produce an emotional response. No visceral trigger. No relatability. Making a purchase is still led by emotion. If you can’t trigger an emotion you make it much more difficult to produce the desired results. You should be using data to help decide when and where, but you can also create a new when and where with creative that resonates. Data will never be able to do that. Creative (at least in advertising) will always be king.

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🧠Independent Agencies often provide Big Thinking without the Big ZIP Code There’s a persistent myth in our industry: that the best creative and media talent only lives in New York, LA, or Chicago. But right now, some of the most ambitious, strategic, and award-winning work in the country is coming from independent agencies in DMAs ranked 25 through 50—the cities often overlooked, under-briefed, and underappreciated. Let’s clear that up. 📍 DMA #27 – Nashville GS&F (revived as a fully independent shop) is driving standout creative for LP Building Solutions and KFC Southeast co-ops, pairing local insight with national polish. Their recent work on the “Build Bold” platform just earned a 2024 ANA B2 Award. 📍 DMA #33 – Raleigh-Durham Baldwin& helped launch Kioti Tractor’s “Together We Rise” campaign with sweeping, cinematic storytelling—picked up in The Drum for its authenticity and edge. A brand that easily could’ve gone with a New York AOR chose Raleigh talent instead. 📍 DMA #37 – Columbus, OH Ron Foth Advertising brought home a National Addy for their work on Columbus Zoo, blending VR, TikTok creators, and traditional media to drive foot traffic in a post-COVID tourism slump. Ad Age spotlighted it as a smart regional turnaround story. 📍 DMA #43 – Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville Brandon Agency launched a hyper-targeted campaign for Fish Hippie, a Southeast lifestyle brand, combining high-impact Amazon DSP with storytelling content. Their media mix strategy was featured in a recent Digiday roundup on DTC regional growth. 🤔 So what do all these agencies have in common? They’re not in holding company cities. They don’t need a SoHo loft to win the pitch. And they’re absolutely crushing it. ⸻ If you’re an independent in a mid-sized market, here are three ways to win more national attention and new business: 🎯 Market size ≠ market value. Don’t compete with big shops on scale. Compete on focus, responsiveness, and authenticity. The best brands know a good idea can come from anywhere. 🎯 Build a national body of proof. Use targeted awards (like the Addys, Effies, and ANA B2), earned press, and platform-native case studies to showcase what makes you great. When the coasts are bloated, nimble wins. 🎯 Leverage regional wins into national momentum. Use your biggest regional client success to ladder up. Brands are watching—especially in tourism, higher ed, healthcare, and B2B verticals. ⸻ 🍾 Clients aren’t just hiring agencies in big cities anymore. They’re hiring agencies that understand their business, move faster, and make every dollar work harder. What market is on fire 🔥 that shouldn’t be missed??? Want to talk about it on our Rise of The Independent podcast? Tag your team below 👇 #solvedontsell NOTE: MiO Marketplace provides #independentagencies the tools & tech they need to succeed. Win and keep more business with MiO!

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Want to grow your credit union? Start with trust. Content marketing turns data into connection—helping prospects see value, not sales pitches. Through educational stories, tailored emails, and targeted social campaigns, you meet members where they are and guide them where they want to go. See how credit union CMOs are using content to drive smarter, more sustainable growth.

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One of my favorite projects so far as Creative Director for Burns SDA Church has been creating a custom outro to close out our content. This wasn’t just about visuals; it was about crafting a lasting impression. The goal was to design an outro that feels aligned with the church’s new brand identity while encouraging connection beyond the screen. The outro highlights: • A clean, modern visual style that matches our updated branding • Clear calls to action for visitors and members • A consistent ending that strengthens recognition across all content • A smooth, engaging transition that keeps viewers connected even after the message ends It’s a small detail, but pieces like this play a huge role in building a cohesive and professional digital presence. This is just one example of how intentional design can elevate a brand experience. More to come. #CreativeDirection #Branding #MotionDesign #ContentCreation #DigitalExperience

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Advertising agencies in heartland America once talked down their smaller head counts, modest offices and Midwestern roots. Now they’re rebranding them as a strength.

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